Corey Dickerson

McKenzie Corey Dickerson (born May 22, 1989) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies (2013–2015), Tampa Bay Rays (2016–2017), Pittsburgh Pirates (2018–2019), Philadelphia Phillies (2019), Miami Marlins (2020–2021), Toronto Blue Jays (2021), St. Louis Cardinals (2022) and Washington Nationals (2023).

Corey Dickerson
Dickerson with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016
Free agent
Outfielder
Born: (1989-05-22) May 22, 1989
McComb, Mississippi, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 22, 2013, for the Colorado Rockies
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.280
Home runs136
Runs batted in469
Teams
Career highlights and awards

The Rockies selected Dickerson in the eighth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2013. Dickerson was an MLB All-Star in 2017, and won a Gold Glove Award in 2018. Dickerson was placed on unconditional waivers by the Washington Nationals on August 2, 2023.

Amateur career

Dickerson was born in McComb, Mississippi, (population 13,000) and raised in Brookhaven, Mississippi.[1] He attended Brookhaven Academy (with a student body of 400) in Brookhaven, where he played baseball and also starred in football and basketball.[2][1] In his junior year, he injured his shoulder at a baseball camp, forcing him to move from shortstop to the outfield in baseball, and from quarterback to wide receiver in football.[3] Dickerson holds the State Private School Association career and single-season records for home runs, with 45 over four seasons, and 15 his senior year.[4] Also, his single-season .591 batting average and 55 runs batted in (RBIs) are both Brookhaven Academy records.[4]

Dickerson later enrolled at Meridian Community College in Meridian, Mississippi, on a full baseball scholarship, where he played center field and was the leadoff hitter for the school's baseball team.[4] During his freshman season at Meridian, Dickerson hit .459 with 21 home runs.[5][6]

Professional career

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies drafted him in the 29th round in 2009, but he did not sign. The Rockies then selected Dickerson in the eighth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.[7]

In 2010 he played for Casper Ghosts in the Pioneer League, and batted .348(6th in the PCL)/.412(8th in the league)/.632(leading the league) with 54 runs (8th), 22 doubles (2nd), 9 triples (2nd), 13 home runs (tied for 3rd), and 61 RBIs (tied for the league lead) in 276 at bats.[3][8][9] On September 6, 2010, he was a Pioneer League Player of the Week.[10] In 2010 he was a Pioneer League postseason All Star, an MiLB Organization All Star, and a Topps Short-Season/Rookie All Star.[10]

On June 3, 2011, while playing with the Asheville Tourists of the Class A South Atlantic League, Dickerson recorded 10 RBIs on three home runs. It was tied for the most RBIs in a single game in South Atlantic League history, a record that had stood for 33 years.[11] On July 11, 2011, he was the SAL Player of the Week.[10] In 2011 he batted .282/.356/.629(3rd in the SAL) with 78 runs (5th), 5 triples (tied for 10th), 32 home runs (leading the SAL), and 87 RBIs (tied for 3rd) for Asheville in 383 at bats and was an MiLB Organization All Star.[10][8] He was fourth in the minor leagues in both home runs and slugging percentage in 2011.[10]

In 2012, Dickerson played for the Tulsa Drillers of the Class AA Texas League, and for the Modesto Nuts of the California League.[12] He batted a combined .304/.358/.542 with 22 home runs and 81 RBIs in 506 at bats.[8] He was a California League mid-season All Star.[10] He then played in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .364/.368/.515 in 66 at bats and was named a Rising Star.[10]

Dickerson with the Colorado Rockies in 2013

Prior to the 2013 season, MLB named him the 16th-best prospect in the Rockies system. In 2013 he batted .371(2nd in the PCL)/.414/.632(3rd) with 14 triples (leading the league), 11 home runs, and 50 RBIs in 315 at bats with Colorado Springs and was a PCL postseason All Star, and an MiLB Organization All Star.[10][13]

The Rockies promoted Dickerson to the major leagues on June 21, 2013.[14] Dickerson made his debut the next day at Nationals Park where he picked up his first two career hits, both doubles, and his first career RBI as the Rockies beat the Washington Nationals. On July 28, Dickerson hit his first career home run off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Donovan Hand, in a Rockies victory.[15] In 2013 in the majors he batted .263/.316/.459 with 5 home runs and 17 RBIs in 190 at bats.[16]

Dickerson began the 2014 season with the Rockies, but was optioned to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League on April 9 when Boone Logan was activated from the disabled list.[17] On June 18, 2014, in a game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dickerson was the only batter to reach base safely during Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter, reaching on an error. In 2014 in the majors, he batted .312(9th-best in the league)/.364/.567(3rd-highest in the NL) with 24 home runs, 18.2 at-bats-per-home-run (6th-best in the NL), and 76 RBIs in 436 at-bats.[16]

Dickerson suffered two broken ribs while diving for a catch on June 30, 2015.[18] In 2015 he batted .304/.333/.536 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs in 224 at-bats.[16]

Tampa Bay Rays
Dickerson in 2017

On January 28, 2016, Dickerson was traded, along with Kevin Padlo, to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitchers Jake McGee and Germán Márquez.[19] In 2016, Dickerson's first season away from Coors Field, his batting line dropped to .245/.293/.469, as he hit a career-high 36 doubles (10th in the AL) with 24 home runs and 70 RBIs in 510 at bats.[16] He spent most of his time as the DH and left fielder.[20]

In 2017, Dickerson's play was completely transformed, and he hit in the leadoff spot. His turnaround led him to a .325/.367/.569 line with 17 home runs at the All-Star break, leading the DH position in nearly every category. His numbers led him to beat out incumbent Nelson Cruz for the starting DH spot in the All-Star Game,[21] becoming the first Ray to start the game since 2010 (Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, David Price).[22] Dickerson's performance waned in the second half. Dickerson ended 2017 batting .282/.325/.490 with a career-high 27 home runs and 62 RBIs in 588 at-bats.[23] He swung at 45.6% of pitches outside the strike zone (the highest percentage in the majors).[24] On defense, his two double plays were the most by an American League left fielder, and his range factor/9 IP of 2.22 was second-best among AL left fielders.[16]

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Rays designated Dickerson for assignment on February 17, 2018.[25] On February 22, they traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Daniel Hudson, Tristan Gray, and cash considerations.[26] On April 26, Dickerson hit his first career walk-off home run, off of Alex Wilson. It was the only offense of the game as the Pirates won over the Tigers 1–0.[27]

In 2018, Dickerson hit .300 (8th in the NL)/.330/.474 with seven triples (9th), 13 home runs, and 55 RBIs in 504 at-bats, and swung at 59.3% of all pitches he saw, tops in the major leagues.[28][29] He had the highest fielding percentage among major league left fielders, at .996, the highest range factor/9 IP among NL left fielders (2.23), and had five double plays (most among NL outfielders) and seven assists (second-most among NL left fielders).[30][16] He also earned his first career Gold Glove Award.[31]

In 2019 with the Pirates, he batted .317/.376/.556 with four home runs and 25 RBIs in 126 at-bats.[16]

Philadelphia Phillies

On July 31, 2019, the Pirates traded Dickerson to the Philadelphia Phillies for a player to be named later and international signing bonus money.[32] At the time of the trade, he was owed $2.8 million of his annual $8.5 million salary for the final two months of the season.[33]

In 2019 with the Phillies, he batted .293/.307/.579 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 133 at-bats. His season was cut short by a fractured navicular bone in his left foot.[34]

Miami Marlins

On January 6, 2020, Dickerson signed a two-year, $17.5 million contract with the Miami Marlins.[35][36] In 2020, he had the lowest fielding percentage of all major league left fielders, at .970.[37] On the offensive side, Dickerson slashed .258/.311/.402 with seven home runs and 17 RBI in 194 at-bats.[38] In 62 games with Miami in 2021, Dickerson slashed .260/.321/.377 with two home runs and 14 RBI.

Toronto Blue Jays
Dickerson with the Miami Marlins in 2021

On June 29, 2021, Dickerson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays alongside Adam Cimber in exchange for Joe Panik and minor league pitcher Andrew McInvale.[39]

St. Louis Cardinals

On March 18, 2022, Dickerson signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.[40] Over three games from August 23 to 25, Dickerson recorded 10 hits in 10 consecutive at-bats, giving him the longest such streak by a Cardinal in the expansion era.[41]

Washington Nationals

On January 10, 2023, Dickerson signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Washington Nationals.[42] In 49 games, Dickerson hit .252/.285/.357 with 2 home runs and 17 RBI. The Nationals released him on August 2.[43]

Personal life

Dickerson and his wife, Beth Anne, had a son in 2014.[44] On February 22, 2018, the same day he was traded to the Pirates, the couple had their second son.[45] In the offseason, Dickerson resides in Madison, Mississippi.[46]

References
  1. ""Hitting close to an obsession for Rays' Corey Dickerson"".
  2. "Tampa trades Brookhaven Academy's Corey Dickerson". Daily Leader. February 22, 2018.
  3. "Corey Dickerson Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  4. "BA honors Dickerson with a special ceremony". Daily Leader. February 2, 2014.
  5. "Corey Dickerson: From Brookhaven to Meridian". The Sporting Spirit Weblog. May 18, 2009. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  6. "Corey Dickerson Baseball Statistics [2010-2015]". Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  7. "8th Round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  8. "Corey Dickerson Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "2010 Pioneer League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. "Corey Dickerson Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com.
  11. "Tourists' Dickerson ties Sally RBI mark". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  12. "Corey Dickerson hits home run for Double-A Tulsa; Arenado has 2 hits". On the Rox. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  13. "2013 Pacific Coast League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. "Corey Dickerson promoted to big leagues with Rockies". On the Rox. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  15. "Hand impresses in Brewers' 6-5 loss to Rockies". denverpost.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  16. "Corey Dickerson Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. "Rockies send Corey Dickerson to Triple-A; Boone Logan comes off the DL". denverpost.com. April 7, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  18. "Corey Dickerson ready to hit, but Rockies not rushing him back". On the Rox. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  19. Harding, Thomas (January 28, 2016). "Rockies to receive reliever McGee in four-player swap". MLB.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  20. "Corey Dickerson Stats, Fantasy & News". Tampa Bay Rays. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  21. "MLB All-Star Game 2017: Corey Dickerson selected as AL designated hitter". DRaysBay. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  22. "Rays All-Stars". Tampa Bay Rays. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  23. "Corey Dickerson". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  24. "Major League Leaderboards » 2017 » Batters » Plate Discipline Statistics - FanGraphs Baseball". www.fangraphs.com.
  25. Chastain, Bill (February 17, 2018). "Rays get Cron from Halos; Odorizzi to Twins". MLB.com. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  26. "Pirates add Corey Dickerson to outfield in three-player trade with Rays". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  27. "Corey Dickerson hits walk-off HR as Pirates win 1-0 over Tigers". MLB. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  28. "Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Batters » Plate Discipline Statistics - FanGraphs Baseball". www.fangraphs.com.
  29. "Pirates left fielder Corey Dickerson wins 1st Gold Glove". archive.triblive.com.
  30. "Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Left Fielders » Fielding Statistics - FanGraphs Baseball". www.fangraphs.com.
  31. Perrotto, John (November 4, 2018). "Corey Dickerson wins first career Gold Glove with Pirates".
  32. Zolecki, Todd (July 31, 2019). "Phils beef up OF by adding Bucs' Dickerson". mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  33. Adams, Steve (July 31, 2019). "Phillies Acquire Corey Dickerson". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  34. "Twitter". Mobile.twitter.com. September 17, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  35. "Sources: Marlins, OF Dickerson reach 2-year deal". ESPN.com. December 28, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  36. Sussman, Ely (January 7, 2020). "OFFICIAL: Marlins finalize Corey Dickerson signing, DFA Austin Brice". Fish Stripes. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  37. "Major League Leaderboards » 2020 » Left Fielders » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". www.fangraphs.com.
  38. "2020 Marlins Season Review: Corey Dickerson". November 3, 2020.
  39. "Cimber, Dickerson to Toronto in Miami swap". MLB.com.
  40. "Corey Dickerson, St. Louis Cardinals finalize $5M deal for 2022 season". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022. Republished as: "OF Corey Dickerson, Cardinals finalize $5M deal for 2022 season". Washington Post. Associated Press. March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  41. Denton, John (August 25, 2022). "Perfect 10! Dickerson reels off 10-for-10 stretch". MLB.com. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  42. "Washington Nationals Agree to Terms With Outfielder Corey Dickerson". mlb.com. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  43. "Nationals Option Luis Garcia, Release Corey Dickerson". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  44. Weathersby, Nathaniel (November 29, 2014). "Native returns as grand marshal". dailyleader.com. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  45. Berry, Adam (February 26, 2018). "After wild week, Dickerson settles in with Bucs". MLB.com. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  46. "Mckenzie Dickerson in Mississippi (MS) | 1 record found | Whitepages". Archived from the original on February 9, 2021.
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